489 - Steve Earle - Guitar Town

[csberry]

Does country give you the shivers? While this album is whole-heartedly country, you might want to give it a shot. The album occupies territory somewhere between Garth Brooks' earlier songs and mid-80's John Mellencamp.

It is a fairly consistent album that mixes uptempo honky tonk music and slide-guitar heavy Nashville ballads. While legendary producer Tony Brown's hands were probably the best chance of molding Earle's songs into something that mainstream country radio would embrace, there are some songs that the production overly tames Earle. This is most obviously seen in the title track. Steve's lyrics in that song seem to demand a rougher approach. This is one of those times where an artist or band can rock the joint live, but their recordings get washed down with the same session musicians and guidance that every other artist has.

Most songs have enough personality to make them stand out from the George Strait, Randy Travis, and Reba style of country prevalent at the time of the album's release.

Songs I knew I liked: None

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Guitar Town," "Goodbye's All We've Got Left," and "Down the Road"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "Hillbilly Highway," "Good Ol' Boy (Gettin' Tough)," "My Friend the Blues," and "Think It Over."